Bulk material transport &amp; storage bag

ABSTRACT

In some aspects, the invention relates to a bulk materials transport bag comprising a bottom panel; a plurality of side panels; a plurality of lifting straps; and a top panel, wherein the bottom panel and the plurality of side panels comprise a first material and the top panel comprises a second material. In other aspects, the invention relates to bulk materials transport bag comprised of a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is generally impervious to moisture and the second material is not impervious to water. In yet other aspects, the invention relates to a bag useful for the storage and transport of shelled peanuts comprising: a bottom panel and four (4) side panels, wherein the bottom panel and side panels are formed from a single sheet of polypropylene; a top panel formed from burlap cloth; and four (4) lifting straps.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a bag useful for the storage and transportation of bulk food products. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a bulk materials bag 5 constructed of not less than two (2) different materials useful for the storage and transportation of peanuts.

BACKGROUND ART

Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (“FIBC”) such as large woven polypropylene bags have been used to transport bulk materials for years and are well known in the art. Food products, such as peanuts, are grown in warm, moist climates and must be processed and preserved after harvesting. For example, peanut growers will often harvest peanuts from the field, shell them, and then place the shelled peanuts in large bags for storage in a refrigeration unit until the peanuts are to be shipped. When the peanuts are removed from the refrigeration unit for shipment and exposed to the ambient, often warm and moist climatic conditions, condensation often forms on the inside of the bag which can saturate the shelled peanuts leading to mold growth. As such, there is a need for a bulk material bag that reduces moisture levels within and primarily near the upper surface of the bag during the storage and transportation of bulk goods such as peanuts.

SUMMARY THE INVENTION

In some aspects, the invention relates to a bulk materials transport bag comprising a bottom panel; a plurality of side panels; a plurality of lifting straps; and a top panel, wherein the bottom panel and the plurality of side panels comprise a first material and the top panel comprises a second material. In other aspects, the invention relates to bulk materials transport bag comprised of a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is generally impervious to moisture and the second material is not impervious to water. In yet other aspects, the invention relates to a bag useful for the storage and transport of shelled peanuts comprising: a bottom panel and four (4) side panels, wherein the bottom panel and side panels are formed from a single sheet of polypropylene; a top panel formed from burlap cloth; and four (4) lifting straps.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

It should be noted that identical features in different drawings are shown with the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the bulk materials bag 5 disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of the bulk materials bag 5 disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of one embodiment of constructing the bulk materials bag 5 disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

The terms “comprise” or “comprises” or “comprising” in the foregoing description and/or in the following claims, unless the context requires otherwise, are used on the basis and clear understanding that they are to be interpreted inclusively, rather than exclusively, and that each of those words is to be so interpreted in construing the foregoing description and/or the following claims.

The terms “about” or “approximately” mean within a range of reasonable error around a central value. Such reasonable error may for example stem from the precision of an instrument or method used to measure the value. The error could also stem from the precision of a method of making a composition, such as the ability to measure particular ingredients within a margin of error.

Bulk Materials Bag

A bulk materials bag 5 is provided herein. In a general embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the bulk materials bag 5 comprises a bottom panel 10, a plurality of side panels 15, a top panel 20 and a plurality of lifting straps 25. Generally, the bulk materials bag 5 is configured as an enclosable rectangular structure with the bottom panel 10 located opposite the top panel 20 forming the ends of the structure with the plurality of side panels 15 forming the sides of the structure. Other configurations of the bulk materials bag 5, including without limitation square, cylindrical and triangular shapes, should be considered within the scope of this disclosure.

The bottom panel 10 is generally flat and configured to rest upon a surface such as a floor or a crate. Bottom panel 10 is configured to provide enough structural integrity to withstand the weight of the contents of the bulk materials bag 5 and to resist wear and tear as the baa is reused over time. For example, in one embodiment, the bottom panel 10 is configured to withstand the weight of approximately 2,400 pounds of peanuts being stored or transported in the bag. The dimensions of the bottom panel 10 may be adjusted depending upon the desired overall size of the bulk materials bag 5. In one embodiment, the bottom panel 10 is rectangularly shaped and is approximately thirty four (34) inches wide and forty-one (41) inches long. Other shapes of the bottom panel 10, such as circular or triangular, should be considered within the scope of this disclosure.

In a preferred embodiment, the bottom panel 10 further comprises an elongated opening, or spout, 30 extending approximately from the center of the bottom panel 10. The spout 30 is used to empty the contents of the bulk materials bag 5. The spout 30 has a means for releasing the contents of the bulk materials bag 5 which allows the contents to evenly and effectively be dispensed from the bulk materials bag 5. Such means comprise any method known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the spout 30 is securely closed by a plurality of straps tied around the spout 30. The spout 30 may be opened by untying the straps. In one preferred embodiment, the spout 30 extends approximately twelve (12) inches from the bottom panel 10 and has a uniform diameter of approximately eighteen (18) inches.

The side panels 15 are configured to provide sufficient structural integrity to withstand the weight of the contents of the bag as well. For example, in one embodiment, the side panels 15 are configured to withstand the weight of approximately 2,400 pounds of peanuts being stored or transported in the bag. The bulk materials bag 5 may comprise any number of side panels 15, depending in part upon the desired overall shape of the bulk materials bag 5. In one embodiment, the bulk materials bag 5 comprises four (4) side panels attached to one another and to the top panel 20 and the bottom panel 10 by an attachment means. In one embodiment, the attachment means comprises stitching the various edges of the side panels 15 together with polypropylene or polyester sewing thread. It is also possible that said side panels 15 comprise a single, continuous piece of material. The dimensions of the side panels 15 may be adjusted depending upon the desired overall size of the bulk materials bag. The plurality of side panels 15 may be identical in shape and dimension or may have different shapes and dimensions. In one embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 1-2, where the bulk materials bag 5 is rectangularly shaped and comprises four (4) side panels, two (2) of the sides panels 15 are approximately thirty four (34) inches wide at the base and sixty three (63) inches in length while two (2) of the other side panels are approximately forty-one (41) inches wide at the base and sixty three (63) inches in length.

The top panel 20 is located opposite the bottom panel 10. In one embodiment, the top panel 20 approximately mirrors the shape and dimensions of said bottom panel 10 and further comprises a top spout 35 extending from said center of top panel 20. In still another embodiment, and as depicted in FIGS. 1-2 said top panel 20 comprises a plurality of top panel sections 40 a, b, c, d that collectively define a surface area that is larger than the surface area of the bottom panel 10, such that, when the bag is filled to capacity, the top panels sections 40 a, b, c, d angle upward from the intersection of side panels 15 and the top panel 20. In another aspect, the top panel sections 40 a, b, c, d may be flat when the bulk materials bag 5 is filled to capacity such that they collectively define a surface area that is approximately equivalent to the area of the bottom panel 10 and that the top panel 20 and the bottom panel 10 are generally parallel to one another. The top spout 35 is configured to allow the bulk materials bag 5 to be filled. The top spout 35 may be opened and closed by any method known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the top spout 35 is securely closed by a plurality of straps tied around the top spout's 35 opening. The top spout 35 may be opened by untying the straps. In one preferred embodiment, the spout 30 extends approximately ten (10) inches from the top panel 20 and has a uniform diameter of approximately fourteen (14) inches.

In one embodiment, the plurality of sloping top panel sections 40 a, b, c, d further permit space (or a void) to exist within the boundaries formed by the top layer of the materials stored in the bulk materials bag 5 and the sloping top panel sections 40 a, b, c, d. This feature encourages any moisture that forms in the bulk materials bag 5 during the storage or shipping to collect within the excess space rather than on the contents. As described below, due to the materials from which the top panel 20 or the plurality of top panel sections 40 a, b, c, d are constructed, the collection of moisture within the cavity is advantageous because it allows the moisture to escape the bulk materials bag 5 rather than be trapped, thus alleviating the problem of the contents of the bulk materials bag 5, such as peanuts, from being contaminated by the unwanted moisture. In addition to being breathable, the material used to comprise the top panel 20 has “wicking” properties that draw condensation and moisture away from the contents.

The bulk materials bag 5 also comprises a plurality of lifting straps 25. In one embodiment, the bulk materials bag 5 comprises four (4) lifting straps 25, though more or less lifting straps 25 may be desirable depending upon the use of the bulk materials bag 5 and should be considered within the scope of this disclosure. In one configuration, the lifting straps 25 comprise a handle comprised of a continuous looped material 45 affixed to side panels at attachment points 50. Generally, the handle 45 is configured to accept a lifting implement from a machine (such as a hook from a crane or a tractor) to allow the bulk materials bag 5 to be lifted and manipulated. In one preferred embodiment, the handle 45 extends approximately eight (8) inches in height as measured from the top edge of a side panel 15. The attachment points 50 may be configured in many different ways, but as will be appreciated, given the comparative strength of the materials preferentially involved, in the preferred embodiment attachment points are located on side panels 15. In one embodiment, the lifting straps comprise woven polypropylene polymer. In one embodiment, each lifting strap 25 comprises at least two (2) attachment points 50 wherein each attachment point 50 is attached to a different side panel 15. In another aspect, the lifting straps 25 comprises attachment points 50 that contact only one side panel 15, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. The attachment point 50 may comprise reinforced material where it contacts the side panel 15 so that upon lifting, the side panel 15 is not torn or damaged. In an alternate embodiment, the side panel 15 comprises reinforced material where it receives said lifting straps 25 so that upon lifting, the side panel is not torn or damaged.

A novel aspect of the bulk materials bag 5 is that it is constructed from at least two (2) different materials. For example, in one embodiment, the bottom panel 10 and the side panels 15 of the bulk materials bag 5 are constructed from a material different than the material comprising the top panel 20. The bottom panel 10 and the side panel 15 comprise a material that is generally more durable and impervious to moisture. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom panel 10 and the side panels 15 are constructed from a woven polymer fabric. In one embodiment, the woven polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyethylene. In another embodiment, the bottom panel 10 and side panels 15 comprise a thermoplastic material. The weight or thickness of the woven polymer fabric may be varied according to the intended use of the bulk materials bag 5. In one non-limiting example, the weight of the woven polymer fabric may be of a range from 100 grams per m² to 270 grams per meter² (g/m²).

The bottom panel 10 and the side panels 15 may be formed of one piece of material, such as a single sheet of polypropylene which has been shaped as generally shown in FIGS. 1-2 or may be formed from separate sheets of material attached to one another. For example, the bottom panel 30 may be attached to the plurality of side panels 15 at their respective edges. If the bulk materials bag 5 comprises four (4) side panels, each outer edge of a rectangular or square bottom panel 10 would be attached to a bottom horizontal edge of a separate side panel 15. The side panels 15 are then attached to one another at their vertical edges. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 3, one continuous piece of material is used to construct two side panels 15 to and the bottom panel 10 (thereby forming a “U-Panel”) and two additional side panels 15 are affixed to this U-Panel to complete the lower portion of the bulk materials bag 5. As referenced above, the side panels 15 may be attached to one another and/or the bottom panel 10 through any means known in the art including thermowelding/seaming, stitching or otherwise.

It is also possible to utilize a more durable, rugged fabric to form the bottom and side panels. In order to support heavy loads as often applied upon repeated lifting and lowering of the bulk materials bag 5, as well as to be resistant to wear and tear, fabric, material often is heavy duty and not highly permeable. Under these conditions, it is necessary to have a different material comprising the top panel 20.

The top panel 20 comprises a different material than the material or materials comprising said bottom panel 10 and said side panels 15. In one embodiment, the top panel 20 comprises a breathable fabric configured to allow any unwanted moisture in the bulk materials bag 5 to escape via evaporation through the fabric or other means, or alternatively, to absorb any unwanted moisture and prevent it from contacting a large amount of the contents of the bulk materials bag 5. In the preferred embodiment, burlap (also known as hessian) cloth is utilized. The weight of the burlap cloth may be altered depending upon the desired use of the bulk materials bag 5, but in one embodiment the burlap cloth comprises approximately a woven five (5) ounce (141.75 grams) per lineal yard to twelve (12) ounce (340.27 grams) per lineal yard based (0.91 meter) on forty (40) inch (1.01 meter) wide burlap cloth. The top panel 20 may be attached to the top edges of the side panels 15 by any means known in the art. In one embodiment, the top panel 20 is stitched to the top edges of the side panels 15, utilizing polyester or polypropylene thread using a lock-stitch or chain-stitch method. Generally, the top panel 20 is attached to the side panels 15 at their respective edges.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed here. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bulk materials transport bag comprising: a. a bottom panel; b. a plurality of side panels; c. a plurality of lifting straps; and d. a top panel, wherein the bottom panel and the plurality of side panels comprise a first material and the top panel comprises a second material.
 2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the bottom panel and the plurality of side panels are formed from a single piece of the first material.
 3. The bag of claim 1 wherein the first material is a woven polymer fabric.
 4. The bag of claim 3 wherein the woven polymer fabric is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyethylene.
 5. The bag of claim 4 wherein the woven polymer fabric is polypropylene.
 6. The bag of claim 1 wherein the second material is burlap cloth.
 7. The bag of claim 1 wherein the bottom panel further comprises a centrally located spout.
 8. The bag of claim 2 wherein the top panel comprises a centrally located top spout.
 9. The bag of claim 8 wherein the first material is polypropylene and the second material is burlap cloth.
 10. The bag of claim 9 wherein the plurality of side panels is four (4).
 11. The bag of claim 10 wherein the plurality of lifting straps is four (4).
 12. The bag of claim 11 wherein the bag comprises four (4) corners and the four (4) lifting straps are located at corners of the bag.
 13. A bulk materials transport bag comprised of a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is generally impervious to moisture and the second material is not impervious to water.
 14. The bag of claim 13 wherein the first material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyethylene.
 15. The bag of claim 14 wherein the first material is polypropylene.
 16. The bag of claim 15 wherein the second material is burlap cloth.
 17. The bag of claim 15 further comprising a bottom panel and a plurality of side panels, wherein the bottom panel and the side panels comprise polypropylene.
 18. The bag of claim 17 further comprising a top panel which itself further comprises a plurality of sloping faces
 19. A bag useful for the storage and transport of shelled peanuts comprising: a. a bottom panel and four (4) side panels, wherein the bottom panel and side panels are formed from a single sheet of polypropylene; b. a top panel formed from burlap cloth; and c. four (4) lifting straps. 